London congestion charge: Western extension scrapped

London's congestion charging zone is to be cut in half, Boris Johnson, the
capital's mayor, has announced.

By David Millward, Transport Editor

2:25PM GMT 27 Nov 2008

The decision to scrap the western extension of the zone into Kensington and Chelsea follows a public consultation which showed overwhelming public and business hostility to the scheme.

It comes months after Mr Johnson also scrapped another initiative by Ken Livingstone, which would have seen drivers of 4x4s and other "gas guzzlers" facing a daily £25 charge to come into the heart of London.

However drivers will have to wait until Spring 2010 before the £8 daily charge is lifted from the expanded zone – more than three years after the scheme was extended.

"During the election I promised Londoners a genuine consultation on the future of the extension," Mr Johnson said. "Londoners have spoken loud and clear, and the majority of people have said that they would like the scheme scrapped."

Mr Johnson's move is a fresh blow to those who have been calling for pay-as-you-drive charges to get motorists out of their cars and on to public transport.

Next month voters in Greater Manchester will decide on whether to back a congestion scheme which would see commuters being charged up to £5 a day to drive in and out of the city at the height of the rush hour.

The mayor's decision was hailed by business and motoring groups but drew angry condemnation from environmentalists.

The Drivers' Alliance welcomed what it called a "triumph of democracy over authoritarianism."

A spokesman added: "Boris Johnson asked the people and listened to the result.

"In scrapping the extension to the congestion charge he has finally laid to rest the fallacy it is good for business and wanted by the people.

"This decision by Mayor Johnson and the people he represents shatters the illusion that people accept congestion charging schemes once they are implemented."

But Jenny Jones, a Green Party member of the London Assembly said the move would lead to "more traffic and more pollution."

The move was condemned by a spokesman for the London Cycling Campaign.

"This move will increase London's contribution to climate change, and exacerbate London's health and obesity crisis. It has been terrible failure of leadership." Said Koy Thomson, the organisation's chief executive.